“The God who made the world and all things in it...He is Lord of heaven and earth….He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things; and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth...that they should seek God” (Acts 17:24-27)

The Bible explains that God created us and sustains us and, therefore, has the right to absolute authority in our lives. Out of His love, He made us in His image so that we would seek to honor Him as the true Creator.

“The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God” (Psalm 14:2). “There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God….for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:11,23). “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Instead of seeking God, man rebels against God’s authority and chooses to live his own way. The Bible says that failure to recognize God’s authority is sin. The penalty for our sin is death–not just physical death, for all men die–but eternal separation from God in hell. Man rightly deserves this judgment for failing to honor his Creator.

“For while we were still helpless...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Romans 5:6, 8-9).

God’s great love and mercy can extend a pardon to sinners. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for sinners and pay sin’s penalty. In His death, Jesus endured the punishment that sinners deserve and therefore satisfied the wrath of God, making it possible for sinners to be made right with Him and receive eternal life.

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30).

God commands you to repent from your rebellion and to trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. You must admit that you are a sinner, believe that you are forgiven only through Jesus’ death on the cross, and commit your entire life to obey the risen Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.